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Corus to axe 3,500 jobs as crash hits steelmakers

BRITAIN's largest steelmaker, Corus, is poised to cut up to 3,500 jobs this week in one of the biggest blows yet to the faltering manufacturing sector.

Further large-scale job losses are expected within weeks, with Jaguar Land Rover understood to be considering another 1,500 layoffs.

Toyota, which to date has refrained from cuts despite the automotive downturn, was yesterday reported to be looking at trimming staff from its UK operations for the first time.

The Corus cuts are likely to overshadow this week's announcement by Lord Mandelson, the business secretary, of aid for the car industry. Loan guarantees to car-finance firms will be one of a raft of measures aimed at stimulating demand.

Union leaders have been in last-ditch talks with the government in an attempt to fend off some of the job cuts. In the case of Corus, they have pressed ministers to adopt a system offered by the